Metrics to measure rail's impact on nature and water
RSSB saw a need to define a set of nature and water metrics for the rail industry.
The project set out to recommend a set of metrics aligned to the Blueprint's nature and water strategic aims.
It aimed to find out what current nature and water data was being reported across rail. It aimed to tackle the inconsistent reporting and immature nature and water metrics in the rail industry. And, to promote a common approach for improved environmental management and sustainability data collection.
The team conducted research and stakeholder engagement across industry. Through this, they chose a comprehensive set of metrics for nature and water topics.
The key metrics are:
- total baseline biodiversity extent and condition
- change in total biodiversity units
- number and extent of nature-based solution projects implemented
- ecosystem services: carbon sequestration
- number and type of stakeholder partnerships
- total provision of environmental training
- total water use
- metered, smart-metered and unmetered water supply
- total number of pollution incidents per category and substance type to land, water, and air.
This project supports a consistent industry approach toward collecting and reporting nature and water data.
It has recommended a set of nature and water metrics. These can, with industry engagement, help to measure and report GB rail’s water and nature data in a more efficient and effective way. And ultimately, to inform Sustainable Insights.